Memories...Part 2
0830 Central Standard Time
April 30th 2010
Somewhere between Chicago and Green Bay
The clouds pass the small window of the Embraer RJ145 aircraft. Their hypnotic motions reflect the already clouded mind of the tired Marine. It's been almost 50 hours since that meeting in the company office in the Afghanistan desert. He hasn't slept. There have been countless flights between then and now. This is it, the last flight.
"Sir, are you done with your drink?"
The Marine looks up to the pretty flight attendant with a confused look. Drink? What drink? He looks down. Water. Did he ask for that? His mind is throbbing. He picks up the cheap plastic cup and slams the water.
"Yeah, thank you ma'am." The water brings a little clarity back. He looks down as he hands the glass away. He's still in his dirty desert-patterned utilities. ("desert digis") The uniform feels greasy. Stupid. There is still dust and grime from Afghanistan covering him. He should have remembered to put his set of civilian clothes in his day pack. He should have had time to buy clothes at an airport. No time. He's literally run from one plane to another. He has to get home.
The plane lands on schedule in Green Bay. He's back in his home state. The weary man picks up his dusty pack, places it on his shoulders and walks out of the plane. Ignoring the stares from the fellow passengers, he walks to the baggage claim. There will be no bags waiting for him. He had to leave them back at Camp Dwyer for Supply. Someone shakes his hand. Thank you. It shames him. He doesn't deserve that. He didn't do anything.
In the baggage area he picks a car rental company at random. It doesn't matter. He'll only need the car for one day. The Sergeant drives to the Reserve Center to check in. Handshakes and welcome backs. The place, once familiar, seems strange and unreal. Is he really back? How did he get here? He looks at his watch. Time to go. He has an hour and a half drive back home. If he wants to make it back in time.
His wife has an appointment at the hospital and finds out how bad the cancer is at 1100 hours. It is now 0915. He can make it. He has no phone and when he tried calling her at the Reserve Center, there was no answer at her workplace.
He begins to drive. His eyes are heavy. His mind feels dull. The car begins to slow down to a stop. Reality snaps into focus. He's in his home town and a streetlight has turned red. How the hell did that happen? He can't remember the hour and half drive home. He looks at the clock in the dashboard...1030. Made good time.
With no keys, no phone, and no contact with his wife, he doesn't know if she's already left to go to the hospital. With a deep breath, he makes a small detour and pulls into the driveway of his in-laws. Surprised looks. Hugs. The Sergeant asks for information regarding his wife. Finds out she is heading home. Good. A wave to the in-laws and he's on the road again.
As he drives closer to his house, the fear and worrying begin to charge him. He feels like a stranger.
Three blocks away...
Nothing has changed while he's been gone.
Two blocks away...
What is he going to say to her? What will she say to him?
One block away...
There is his home! Her car is in the driveway! His heart is beating through his chest. He parks across the street so as not to block her car in. There is an appointment after all.
Home...
The Marine slowly walks to his home. Climbs the steps as he's done thousands of times before in another life. The door is open. Through the screen door he sees his wife. She is the most beautiful woman he's seen. He raises his hand and knocks softly on the door.
His wife is startled by the noise and looks to the door in alarm.
"Oh my god" she chokes out. She stands there in shock.
The tired husband opens the door, drops his pack, walks forward, and embraces his wife.
"I made it hon, I'm home" he whispers into her ear. He can feel her arms tighten around him. "Everything will be all right..."
With that, the pent-up emotions in the poor woman release. He can feel her sobs shuddering through their hug.
The Marine stands tall. He hasn't slept in two days. He's left the battlefield and crossed the planet for this woman. She will be safe with him. He will protect her and help her in this fight. He will stand by her side no matter what.
He looks into her eyes.
"Let's go to the hospital. It's time..."
posted by Silentwarrior @ 7:55 PM
4 Comments:
aaaaaaaand I'm crying.
I'm crying too. And praying.
I keep coming back and rereading, trying to figure out what to say. It lives me speechless.
On a side note, I am glad that people thanked you. As I read, I kept thinking, "Please someone thank him..." as undeserving as you feel, the act of volunteering to serve in our Armed Forces is enough for me to thank someone. I care not where they were stationed or what action they've seen.
I'm so sad for you all...
Thank you for stopping by.
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